Lākshām, Bangladesh

This sleepy Bangladeshi backwater is hardly the bustling metropolis some expats may envision. With a population of just 333,729, Lākshām offers a slow-paced rural lifestyle far removed from the energy of Dhaka. The upazila has experienced a persistent water crisis due to arsenic contamination, a problem plaguing much of the country's groundwater. And while the literacy rate of 77.34% is above the national average, the bureaucratic headaches associated with navigating local government are a sizable tradeoff. Lākshām is best suited for those seeking a quiet, provincial existence away from the crowds and chaos of Bangladesh's major cities.